Fire Breaks Out At Detroit Auto Repair Shop

DETROIT (WWJ) – Investigators are trying to figure out how what caused a fire at an auto repair shop on Detroit’s east side.

Fire crews were called to With Car Towing and Recovery, on John R and Lantz streets, early Friday morning after receiving reports about flames shooting into the sky.

Several motorists passing through the area and on I-75, like Penny James, said the fire looked like it was out of control.

“The flames were real big and a car is still on fire, you can see it down there, there’s a car on fire, the tires are completely burned off,” she said.

Firefighters eventually extinguished the flames after working for hours, attacking the blaze from inside and outside the building.

Officials said they aren’t quite sure yet what caused the fire. No injuries were reported.

One firefighter on the scene told WWJ’s Mike Campbell the fire was one of several in the city overnight, leading him to wonder if Angel’s Night (more commonly known as Devil’s Night — Halloween eve) is starting early. But Fire Chief Andre Johnson wouldn’t bite on that theory.

“Historically, we are busy before Angel’s Night and we’re historically busy after Angel’s Night,” he said. “I can’t say [the fire-bugs are getting a jump on Angel’s Night patrols]. That I don’t know.”

An investigation is ongoing.

A classic car can be seen parked inside a Detroit auto shop that caught fire. (Credit: Mike Campbell/WWJ Newsradio 950)

They call me an anchor-reporter; I prefer “Paid Informant" with 30 years in the biz, starting as News Director in Ludington, then Mt. Clemens and at an FM station in Detroit before landing at WWJ in 1987.
I report from the scene Tuesday through...